How to Print with Dimensions in AutoCAD?

Understanding the Process of Printing with Dimensions in AutoCAD

Setting Up Your Printer

1. Access Printer Settings:
   Start by navigating to the Settings menu on your computer. Locate the ‘Printers’ option in the menu.

2. Select Your Printer:
   Find the printer you intend to use for your printing tasks. Right-click on it and choose ‘Properties’ from the context menu.

3. Configure Paper Settings:
   Upon opening the properties window, switch to the ‘Paper’ tab. Here, select your desired paper size from the options available.

4. Finalize Settings:
   After setting the paper size, click ‘OK’ to apply the changes and close the printer settings.

Defining the Print Area

1. Initiate Print Command:
   Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard to open the plot dialog window.

2. Choose Printer and Paper Size:
   In the dialog, select your printer and paper size as needed, particularly if you wish to modify the existing page setup configurations.

3. Specify the Print Area:
   Determine what portion of your drawing you want to print by selecting the appropriate option in ‘Plot Area’. You may choose between options like ‘Window’ or ‘Extents’.

Annotating Dimensions

1. Insert Dimensions:
   Utilize the dimensioning tools in AutoCAD to add the necessary dimensions to your drawing.

2. Adjust Properties:
   Open the Properties palette and set the ‘Annotative’ property to ‘Yes’ to ensure dimensions scale correctly.

3. Set Annotation Scales:
   Click on the scale next to the current setting to display the Annotative Object Scale dialog. Here, input the scales you require for your dimensions and confirm your choices.

Printing Large Drawings

1. Choose the Layout:
   Select the layout tab at the bottom of the AutoCAD interface that corresponds to your design.

2. Adjust Viewport:
   If necessary, remove the existing viewport to create a clean slate for your desired layout.

3. Select Appropriate Paper Size:
   Ensure the paper size matches your design requirements for optimal output.

Creating a New Layout

1. Select Layout Tab:
   Click on the layout tab you want to work on within your AutoCAD project.

2. Access Layout Settings:
   Open the ‘Layout’ tab from the ribbon menu and find the ‘Page Setup’ option.

3. New Page Setup:
   Create a new setup by clicking ‘New’, assigning it a name, and clicking ‘OK’.

4. Set Printer and Paper Size:
   Specify your printer and its corresponding paper size while leaving the Plot Area as ‘Layout’.

FAQs

How do I print a DWG file?
To print a DWG file, begin by opening AutoCAD and accessing the file through the ‘Open’ option or by pressing Ctrl + O. Once open, you can print directly from the Model view or by utilizing a predefined Layout.

What is the difference between Model Space and Paper Space?
Model Space is where designs are created at a 1:1 scale, while Paper Space is configured for the layout of your drawings for printing, allowing for various scales and arrangements.

How can I change the scale of dimensions without altering their values?
To change the scale of dimensions without modifying their actual values, select the dimension you want to adjust, then use the properties menu to alter the scale settings while ensuring the dimensions retain their original measurements.